Demoted Sheffield United Players Set to Sue West Ham

West Ham United are facing a fresh legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair as up to a dozen players relegated with Sheffield United in 2007 consider suing the London club for loss of earnings.

At least 10 players, including the captain Chris Morgan, have sought legal advice since an independent tribunal ruled in favor of Sheffield United's claim that Tevez should not have been allowed to play such an influential role in West Ham's escape from relegation last year. The Bramall Lane club have submitted a claim for £30m in loss of revenue, and players directly involved in demotion to the Championship hope to follow suit with a separate action.

Sheffield United's players would have been entitled to a substantial bonus for keeping the club in the Premier League in the 2006-07 season and, in line with many contracts, some suffered pay cuts of between 30% and 50% when they were relegated. The affected players, through the Manchester-based sports law specialists IPS Law, are seeking to recoup those losses from West Ham.

Given the various cuts to bonuses and pay negotiated in the individual contracts it is not known what the total claim against West Ham from the players would be, but it would be a significant addition to the fine of up to £30m that the Hammers will have to pay Sheffield United. If the players go ahead West Ham will have to go to arbitration once again. Paul Fletcher, of IPS Law, said: "All clubs, players and agents are governed by the rules of the Football Association and, in the event of any dispute between these parties, the appropriate forum is for the aggrieved party to bring a claim under rule K of the FA rules. This leads to arbitration proceedings and would be heard in front of a panel of one or three experienced arbitrators."

West Ham intend to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an attempt to overturn the latest ruling over the Tevez affair. They insist they have already been punished for breaching Premier League regulations over the signing of Tevez, having been fined £5.5m last year. The club are understood to have changed lawyers as they construct their appeal, with the Manchester United director and solicitor Maurice Watkins now on board, although CAS has first to decide whether West Ham's plea falls under its jurisdiction.